"Jack Eichel should be 1C" "Wants out of Toronto": NHL fans rips into Auston Matthews over projected Team USA captaincy

Before Team USA’s men’s ice hockey roster for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games is announced, NHL fans are already sparking debate over leadership roles, particularly the projected captaincy of Auston Matthews.

Matthews, widely expected to serve as Team USA’s captain, has drawn criticism from fans on X who questioned both his leadership abilities and on-ice performance. Some argued that Jack Eichel, currently one of six players officially named to the preliminary Olympic roster, should be Team USA’s top center and captain instead.

Following are some fan reactions from X:

“Jack Eichel should be 1C and captain considering he has his name on the 🏆” “I definitely agree Matthews shouldn’t be captain. I’m a panthers fan so I’m biased but I’d give it to Matthew tkachuk seeing as how he’s helped lead a team to 2 cups but if they want someone less…abrasive jack eichel,” wrote one user. “He wants out of Toronto, its obvious,” commented another user.

Several comments specifically called out Matthews’ leadership. Some even cited his performance during the recent 4 Nations Face-Off where Team USA lost the final to Canada as evidence that he struggles to elevate his teammates.

USA Hockey has so far confirmed six players on the preliminary roster: Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy. The full 25-man Olympic roster will be finalized ahead of the Olympic tournament, which begins February 11 in Milan with NHL players eligible to compete for the first time since 2014.

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Ex-NHLer floats idea of Auston Matthews to LA trade

Earlier last week, former NHL player and analyst Nick Kypreos proposed a bold trade scenario for the Toronto Maple Leafs suggesting the team consider sending captain Auston Matthews to the Los Angeles Kings.

Speaking on the latest episode of Real Kyper & Bourne, Kypreos pointed to the Kings upcoming post-Anze Kopitar era noting that the longtime captain’s retirement is on the horizon. He also mentioned Matthews’ California roots arguing that the superstar forward could flourish in a lower-pressure environment.

“And I think that there are places out there and I don't know if you want to hold me to this, like Auston Matthews to the LA Kings is the play. That's the move. They have Anze Kopitar leaving and they need somebody, and they kind of held out for the watch on Connor McDavid,” he said. “I think if McDavid was the LA Kings' choice in a couple of years, or as early as next year to trade for him possibly, then Auston would fall right underneath that," he added.

The Maple Leafs captain has faced a challenging start to the 2025-26 season with his production well below career standards. Through 30 games, Matthews has recorded 14 goals and nine assists, totaling 23 points. He has been pointless in his last three games and is on pace for a 36-goal, 59-point season.

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Edited by Anjum Rajonno